The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry starts the distribution of free animals as of today, especially to the breeders whose small ruminants perished in the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş.
Studies were carried out by the provincial/district damage assessment commissions in Adana, Adıyaman, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Malatya, Osmaniye, Şanlıurfa and Elazığ provinces, which were declared disaster areas after the earthquakes that occurred on 6 February, and in Gürün district of Sivas. In this context, the procedures for the distribution of 43 thousand 618 small cattle, whose detection has been completed, are being started as of today. 341 million TL budget was transferred to Provincial/District Agriculture and Forestry Directorates for the supply of small cattle.
Bovine, ovine, poultry and bee hives that are destroyed by the citizens engaged in farming activities in these places are covered in kind within the scope of the Presidential Decree No. 12 dated March 2023, 135, in order to restore the countryside in the earthquake region and to ensure the continuity of animal production.
ANIMALS MUST BE REGISTERED WITH TÜRKVET
Within the scope of the decree, farmer's lost animals will be covered for once, free of charge, with animals of the same breed provided by TİGEM enterprises affiliated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. For this, the lost animal must be registered in TÜRKVET and determined by the provincial/district damage assessment commissions. Earthquake-affected farmers do not need to make a separate application for their lost animal(s).
Distribution will be made through breeder/producer organizations under the coordination of the Ministry, starting with small cattle for breeders who have the necessary shelter and infrastructure. The delivery of cattle, poultry and bee hives will start immediately after the completion of the determination works.
The breeders who benefit from this in-kind support will not be able to sell, transfer or use their animals for other purposes, except for force majeure, for 2 years.
In case of the death of the earthquake victim farmer, the animals will be given to his heirs. The same conditions will apply to heirs.
“WE ARE WITH OUR BREEDERS IN EARTHQUAKE”
Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Prof. Dr. Vahit Kirişci stated that reviving the countryside in the disaster area is one of their first priorities and said, "It is of great importance to give the perished animals in kind for the continuity of animal production in the region and for the restoration of economic vitality in the countryside."
Reminding that 17 percent of the animal production in the country takes place in the provinces affected by the earthquake, Kirişci said, “Mr. President, they stated that the animals that perished would be met free of charge. We, as the Ministry, have largely completed our damage assessment work. In this context, as we promised, we are starting the free animal compensations for our earthquake victim breeders starting from today, primarily small cattle. Other animals will be compensated as soon as possible.
In addition, we will provide approximately 53 million TL in cash support to the owners of fishing vessels and aquaculture producers who were damaged by the earthquake. We will continue to be with our farmers and producers with a kiss.” used his statements.